Detection of liver diseases in patients over 60 years in therapy wards

Abstract

Objective: comparative assessment of the detection of diseases of the hepatobiliary system in patients of different age groups undergoing treatment in therapy wards.Materials and methods. The epicrises of patients undergoing treatment in therapy wards were analyzed. The parameters of biochemical blood test, coverage of ultrasound examination, diagnoses based on the results of examinations were assessed. Statistical data processing was performed.Results and discussion. Cholelithiasis was more common (13.4 % and 2.6 %, p = 0.0001) in patients over 60 than in those who were under the age. The prevalence rate of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was higher among patients under 60 years old (9.6 % and 0.3 %, p = 0.002). An increase in ALT was detected in 12.1 % of the cases, ultrasound examination was performed in about half of patients with high ALT. The high prevalence rate of heart failure may have influenced the detection of liver disease.Conclusion. Insufficient detection of liver pathology in patients over 60 is due to a rare increase in ALT activity, incomplete coverage of patients by ultrasound examination, and the presence of concomitant pathology.